A people without a heritage are easily persuaded. ~Karl MarxWestern Civilizations ARE atheistic. Separation of state and church remember? As far as I can tell, throughout history, religion has almost always been a hindrance to progress.Seems pretty obvious if one compares Western Civilization to the atheistic nations of the 20th century.The problem you have in trying to investigate the benefits of Christianty to society is that scientist would also have to look at the disadvantages of Christianity. How many people have been and are disavowed by their family because of Christianity for instance?As stated before, neither existence or nonexistence of God can be proven or disproven. The meaning of God being infinite and eternal, beyond the limits of finite human perception and language, all this we refer to remains faith based.Has anyone provided a proof of God's inexistence?
Not even close.
Has quantum cosmology explained the emergence of the universe or why it is here?
Not even close.
Have the sciences explained why our universe seems to be fine-tuned to allow for the existence of life?
Not even close.
Are physicists and biologists willing to believe in anything so long as it is not religious thought?
Close enough.
Has rationalism in moral thought provided us with an understanding of what is good, what is right, and what is moral?
Not close enough.
Has secularism in the terrible twentieth century been a force for good?
Not even close to being close.
Is there a narrow and oppressive orthodoxy of thought and opinion within the sciences?
Close enough.
Does anything in the sciences or in their philosophy justify the claim that religious belief is irrational?
Not even in the ballpark.
Is scientific atheism a frivolous exercise in intellectual contempt?
Dead on. (The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and Its Scientific Pretensions, by David Berlinski, cover)
We either agree with each other, based on our faith, that we are talking about the same concepts or manifestations of God
Or we fail to resolve our differences.
Either way, a more practical application of faith in Christ that CAN be proven to have direct benefits and effects measurable by science: we can focus on proving how spiritual healing works to restore health minds, bodies and relations. Since this spiritual healing is based on forgiving conflicts from the past, it also heals relationships between people. We could study this natural healing process. And use that to demonstrate how prayers in Christ work. Understanding the nature of the spiritual process takes the same steps as understanding God and Christ.
JohnDB this is one thread where I am trying to find a different angle.